Her Alpha Viking

by Sheryl Nantus

  Brenna nodded her agreement.

  Helen glanced back at the campground, spotting Lucy. A hand wave was enough to send Lucy toward the small tent, her intentions clear.

  Brenna turned to see Jake scowling as he took in the scene before stomping off, most likely to look for Erik. She choked back a rough laugh, imagining how that conversation would go.

  She’d be surprised if they didn’t come to blows. Jake took his position as the group’s elder seriously, and Erik might have to do some swift verbal footwork to get out of Jake’s sights.

  Lucy and Mark quickly began to break down the campsite, muttering to each other in soft, quiet tones. Neither of them looked over at Helen and Brenna or at where Jake had gone. Lucy went to the tent and slipped inside, exiting a few minutes later with Brenna’s duffel bag. She took it to the van and placed it with the other two women’s luggage, sealing the deal.

  The two men returned a few minutes later, and Erik grabbed the rest of his clothing out of the tent, sitting down on another bench to finish dressing. He didn’t look over at the women or at the men, accepting his exile in silence.

  It took a few more minutes for him to take their tent down, saying nothing as he packed up his own gear and took both bundles to the vehicle. Mark said nothing, taking them and loading up the trunk.

  Jake came over to the two women. “We’re almost ready to go. You two climb in the back with Lucy. Mark’ll take the center seat. Erik’ll ride in front with me.” He eyed Brenna. “Give you both some space. Now let’s roll—we’re running behind schedule. We’ll grab breakfast on the go, scarf down some granola bars, and stop early for lunch.” He looked around the clearing. “I want to get out of here as soon as possible.”

  She didn’t look at Erik as she slid into the back of the van, cushioned between Lucy and Helen.

  Lucy took her arm, linking it in with her own. “I’m sorry.”

  “This your first real heartbreak?” Helen asked softly.

  Brenna nodded.

  “Oh, darling.” She tugged her close. “There’s nothing we can say to take the pain away, but you’ll survive this.”

  Brenna sighed, the hollowness in her heart expanding to empty out her soul.

  She’d lost it all. The man she loved and her life as a Valkyrie.

  …

  Jake said nothing for the first hour of driving, his attention firmly on the road.

  Erik was grateful for the silence. He rested his head on the window, the vibrations shooting through his body as he tried to organize his thoughts.

  “This got something to do with you wanting to leave?”

  Erik nodded. “I’m jumping off in Columbus—she’s staying with you. The further she gets away from me, the better.”

  That earned him a side eye and an annoyed grunt.

  “Damn it.” Jake wiped his forehead. “You hurt Brenna, and I’m not happy about that. No one is. But I got to respect what goes in between the two of you even if it chaps my ass.”

  “Can you keep her safe?” Erik asked. “When I go, she’ll need someone to watch her back. Kara should keep on hunting me, but in case…”

  “I’ll talk to her about staying with us all the way to Washington. I’m sure Helen’s already on that. She’s not about to let Brenna go off on her own in this state. After that, I’ll offer to take her back West again. Her call, not yours.” Jake chuckled. “Too bad. I was getting comfortable with just Mark in the tent.”

  “You snore,” Erik said. “Mark makes this whistling noise with his teeth.”

  Jake shrugged. “Lets you know I’m still alive.” He gave Erik a smile. “Saves you dragging my limp body around in a sleeping bag to try and cash my pension check.”

  Erik returned the grin.

  It didn’t make him feel any better, but at least it was a start.

  Lunch was in a greasy diner by the side of the road, Mark and Jake surrounding Erik while Brenna stuck close to the two women. The conversation was muted, and he endured the dagger-like looks from Lucy and Helen as they curled around Brenna.

  It tore at his heart to see her red and swollen eyes, knowing he was the source of that pain.

  But he couldn’t come up with any alternative. The time spent on Earth had changed Brenna, softened her stoic Valkyrie exterior—if it hadn’t been shattered the minute she’d kissed him on the battlefield. While he understood why she couldn’t kill her sister, it left a cold, harsh truth in its wake. She’d be his biggest weakness, one Kara would exploit without mercy.

  Because he’d do anything to protect her—which made him as much of a liability.

  He had seen couples in the field make mistakes, crucial tactical mistakes to cover for each other when they weren’t supposed to be. It wasn’t planned, not something you could control. If they’d be weaker together then better they split up. It’d keep her alive that much longer.

  But the words…there was no way to say it that didn’t hurt her. He’d felt the pain as sharply as she did, the rip in their hearts almost audible.

  There was no way around it, none he could see. Staying with Brenna would condemn them both—leaving would hurt, but they’d survive a bit longer apart.

  He wasn’t sure it was a fair trade.

  Erik flinched inside, imagining seeing her cut down by Kara’s lance. He had no doubt Kara wouldn’t have any issues taking Brenna out. To her it’d be justice, simply a part of the job.

  Then it’d be his turn.

  Maybe when he got upstairs he could reason with Odin or whoever met him at the gates, beg for Brenna’s life. Or afterlife.

  “Eat your burger,” Jake rasped, nudging Erik’s arm. “It’s getting cold, and we got some driving left to do before our presentation tonight.”

  He forced the meal down and followed the troupe back into the van, sighing as Brenna tucked herself into the seat at the back, as far away from him physically as possible.

  It was going to be a long, lonely ride to Columbus.

  Mark reached forward and tapped Erik’s arm a few minutes. “Brother, you helped me out during a rough spot. Let me help you.” He squeezed Erik’s shoulder. “Can’t control who we fall in love with. Even if they don’t want it.”

  “I just…”

  “Look, you want to cut out at Columbus, and that’s your choice,” Mark said. “But you need someone to watch your back. Jake’s told you this before—just give a second thought before you go.” He nudged a thumb back at the women. “We’ll do the best we can to help keep her safe. Sure you can’t kiss and make up?”

  “It’s complicated. Brenna knows this woman. Used to be a friend.” Erik sighed. “We fought about Brenna not being willing to give her all when it goes down.”

  “Whoa.” Mark drew back. “What do you mean by ‘all’?”

  Erik gave him a knowing stare. “You know what it means. If it comes down to kill or be killed…”

  Mark glanced back over his shoulder before letting out a low whistle. “Yeah, but…you expect Brenna to be able to take one of her friends out? Seriously?”

  “That’s the worst-case scenario, if we can’t subdue her. I’d rather tie her up and put her someplace safe—but she’s going to be coming at us with the intention to kill us. She’s not going to be holding back.” Erik felt the back of his neck start to itch. “Got to keep that option on the table. I don’t need to tell you that. When we were trained, we weren’t taught to incapacitate the enemy. Two shots, center mass.”

  “But this isn’t war,” Mark said quietly. “And this isn’t a terrorist or a criminal. It’s a mentally deranged woman trying to fulfill a fantasy.”

  “Which is to kill me and Brenna.” Erik nudged a thumb toward the women in the back. “If someone was going for Lucy or Helen, you’d put him or her down straight up.”

  “I would,” he answered. “You know that’s not even a question. But a friend…” Mark shook his head. “All types of complicated. Not sure if I’d be able to do it.” He frowned. “So that’s what you fought
about? How much force to use?”

  “Not really.” Erik sighed. “I’m Kara’s primary target. She’ll come for me before Brenna, and I want the best chance possible to take her out. Having Brenna there would be too much of a distraction. I want her to survive. I need her to survive. I walked away because I’m the liability here, not her.” It was as much as he was willing to say—trying to explain how Kara was able to track him down along with revealing the existence of Valhalla and Helheim would be too complicated.

  Mark paused for a minute. “Okay. I think I understand.” He raised a finger. “Whatever you’re going to do, be careful. Lost enough people in my life—I don’t want to lose two more.” He sat back, leaving Erik alone.

  It’s for the best, Erik told himself.

  His heart told him otherwise.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Brenna glanced around the tent she now shared with the two women. It’d been three days since the fight, both of them keeping their distance from each other, as much as they could. Erik had permanently taken the front seat beside Jake, packing and unpacking the van in near-silence. There was a tension in the air, the sadness of seeing something that had flourished during the trip take a turn for the worst—and possibly die.

  Lucy poked her head in. “Chili’s almost ready. Just stopped Jake from dumping a whole bottle of hot sauce in it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Man’s got no taste buds left.”

  “Not hungry.” Brenna toed off her shoes and stretched out on the sleeping bag. “I had lunch, I’ll be fine.”

  Lucy crawled in beside her. “How you doing?”

  “I’m good,” Brenna lied.

  Lucy eyed her, raising one eyebrow.

  Brenna stared at the ceiling. “Erik doesn’t think I’ll be able to do what it takes to protect us from Kara.”

  Lucy laid on the sleeping bag next to her, propping her head up with one hand. “She’s your friend, right? Mark filled us all in.”

  Brenna flinched inside. She didn’t want to give out any more information than necessary. “Yes. She used to be my sister—not by blood, but in every other way. And she’s determined to try to kill us both. Erik first, then me.”

  “Why?” Lucy frowned. “I mean, I get she’s got a hate on for Erik, blaming him for her brother’s death. I’ve seen how that works—people who can’t deal with a loss taking it out on someone. This is damned extreme, but I get it. But you being her old friend…”

  “It’s complicated.” She wrestled with the words.

  Lucy poked the nylon wall. “I can understand what Erik’s worried about. You’ll hold back automatically, and that’s okay.” She drew in a deep breath. “Killing should never be easy. When it gets that way, then there’s something wrong with you.”

  “I know. I just…” Brenna bit her lip. “I don’t believe he’ll be able to stop her.”

  “Don’t write Erik off. He’s a good man, a strong man. He can hold his own, inside the ring and outside. He survived being shot up—not too many come out of something like that alive. And alone.” She smiled as Brenna turned her gaze on her. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happened. Survivor’s guilt can be a bastard.”

  Brenna frowned. “Survivor’s guilt?”

  “Yeah. He feels bad ’cause everyone around him died. Jake filled me in on the history—Erik gave him enough that he put it together. Now he’s got you, and he doesn’t want you hurt or in danger.” She tapped her temple. “Remember, when you’re under fire you get tunnel vision, all twisted around because you want to protect those you care about.”

  Brenna didn’t say anything. She wanted to tell Lucy everything about Valhalla, about Freyja, but held back. Sharing with Erik had caused this problem—she didn’t want to make it worse.

  “You think I should give up on Erik?” Brenna finally asked.

  “I think you have to see where the road takes you. Some battles a man’s got to face on his own. You can’t choose for him no matter how much you love him. Same goes for Erik—he can’t make the choice for you, and you shouldn’t let him.”

  Brenna nodded, letting the words sink in.

  “Soon we’ll be at Columbus and then you can think things over without Erik underfoot. Time has a way of making things clearer,” Lucy said.

  A gentle knock came at the wooden stool placed at the front door in lieu of a doorbell.

  Lucy twisted around. “Yes?”

  “I’d like…” Erik’s voice was hoarse. “Can I talk to Brenna? Please?”

  “Let me check.” Lucy turned back. “Your call.”

  Brenna bit her lip, using the brief pain to focus. “I’m coming out in a minute.”

  She busied herself with putting her shoes on, drawing out the time.

  “Say the word and Jake’ll figure out a way to drive him into the nearest town tonight,” Lucy whispered. “If you can’t cope with him being so close. Don’t want to run him off but we’re not going to let the two of you fight all the way to Columbus.”

  “I can handle him.” Brenna kissed her cheek. “Thanks. You’re wonderful.”

  “Well, yeah.” Lucy laughed as Brenna backed out of the tent. “I am.”

  …

  The moon was rising above the trees, the dim light drowning out the small campfire in the middle of the circle.

  He stamped his feet, kicking off the soil clogging his shoes. He ached from head to foot, unable to stand still. The morning training sessions were gone, everyone avoiding him. Conversations were short and curt from the women, not much better from the men.

  It’d all gone to hell, and he didn’t how to fix it, if he ever could.

  She came out of the tent and stood in front of him.

  His chest ached as he looked directly at her, something he’d steadfastly avoided for the past few days. Her long blonde hair now tumbled over her shoulders, so much longer than when they’d first met. She jammed her hands into the front pockets of her jeans, the dark blue T-shirt frayed at the edges.

  She never seemed more beautiful.

  “Can we talk somewhere?” He nodded toward the edge of the campsite.

  “Sure.” She stared at the ground as she led him over to the back of the van.

  Erik noticed Jake and Mark sitting by the fire, chatting to each other as they stirred the pot of chili. Helen glanced over, her arms crossed in front of her as she said something to Lucy, who had exited the tent.

  “Don’t be angry with them,” Brenna said. “They’re not mad at you.”

  “They’re not mad at you, either,” he replied. “It’s always awkward when a couple breaks up—people figure they have to choose sides even if they still like both parties.”

  “I guess. You still planning on leaving at Columbus?”

  “Yes.” He leaned against the van. “It’s the best way to draw Kara off your trail. I have some ideas, some contacts to make.”

  “Don’t tell me anything. If Kara finds me first, I don’t want to help her find you.” She scrunched up her nose. “She’ll ask, and I don’t know how far she’ll go to get information from me.”

  “You still don’t think you’ll be able to kill her?” He kept his voice low. “When you think she’ll torture you to find me? After that?”

  “I will fight,” Brenna said. “I’m not an idiot. She has the advantage on a number of fronts. Least of which being invulnerable.” She looked at her hands, clenching and unclenching her fists. “The odds are not in my favor. But if she comes for me first, I’ll do my best to delay her if I can, give you more time.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not what I want or need from you.”

  “Then what?” She glared at him, and he saw the fire in her eyes, the warrior maiden coming out. “You mocked me, told me you didn’t think I could face Kara.”

  “I did not,” he shot back. “You said you couldn’t bring yourself to consider stopping her by killing her. With her invulnerability, that’s damned well the only way this can go down, and we still have no idea what or how
to do that, aside from getting her spear and using it against her. That makes you a liability. For both of us. I’m not going to go over this with you again. We’re going our separate ways in Columbus. Maybe I’ll see you again, maybe not.”

  “You will. At Ragnarok.” She drew a staggered breath. “Even the damned will come out to fight.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that, so he nodded and turned away.

  …

  The bus station in Columbus was a small building set not far from the highway, allowing them quick and easy access to the city core.

  Jake met him at the back of the van. The rest of the group got out, stretching their legs and preparing to say goodbye.

  Erik fought to keep from pressing his hand against his stomach, trying to quell the nausea building up inside. He hadn’t been so nervous since leaving for boot camp.

  Jake held out a handful of bills. “Should be enough for a ticket and a nice hotel room somewhere.”

  Erik waved him off. “I’ll be fine. You need it for gas, camping…”

  The older man shook his head as he pressed the money into Erik’s hand. “Not as much now. Besides, you’ve been a great help to us. All of us.” He let out a low grunt before continuing. “I hope you end up okay. Sorry I can’t give you the pistol—safer to keep it with us than to have you grabbed by the authorities for carrying it around.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Erik put out his hand. “You’re a damned good man, Jake. Been an honor to be with you.”

  Jake gripped it, putting his other hand atop their tight embrace. “Right back at you.” He stepped back as Helen came up and hugged him.

  She pulled back, and he saw the tears in her eyes, breaking his heart just that much more.

  “We’ll take care of her.” She lightly jabbed him in the chest with one finger. “You just take care of you.”

  He nodded. “Thank you.”

  Helen moved back, and Mark took her place. The handshake was rough, hard, and exactly what he expected from the veteran.